Image via Complex Original
What does it mean to be called a “dirty” player? Does it mean you’re a cheater in a sense that you go out of your way to purposely deceive referees, or inflict harm to your opponents? Well, we don’t have the perfect definition. What we do know is that the league we love to watch has more than it’s fair share of dirty players, and while the art of being a dirty player has had to adapt and grow as the NBA continues to change on a yearly basis, it’s a role that has continued to withstand the test of time.
This may not be the NBA of the ‘80s and '90s, but it’s still got a cast of characters who make us tune in on a nightly basis. From Kevin Garnett talking more trash than anyone should be allowed to Reggie Miller kicking out at defenders, check out the Dirtiest Players in NBA History.
Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)
20. Michael Jordan
Years Played: 1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003
Team(s): Bulls, Wizards
Stats: 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 SPG, 2.6 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Simply put, Jordan is the greatest player in the history of the game. Six for six in the NBA Finals, owned every type of hardware imaginable, and was the darling of the league in his day. But it wasn't all pretty, Jordan was a master of getting away with fouls, and hiding it from the refs to boot. The greatest of all-time indeed, in every aspect of the game.
19. Kenyon Martin
Years Played: 2000-Present
Team(s): Nets, Nuggets, Clippers, Knicks
Stats: 12.8 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.4 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Like many who have laced up a pair of kicks before him, K-Mart realized that once his high-flying days were behind him, he’d have to adapt his game if he wanted to stay in the NBA. Enforcer, goon, call it what you want, there’s no doubt that Kenyon gives you that presence in the paint—a commodity that’s becoming increasingly more valuable as the league seems to get softer and softer every year. After Rasheed Wallace went down, the Knicks picked Martin up and his toughness and six fouls have won a bunch of games for them.
18. Reggie Miller
Years Played: 1987-2005
Team(s): Pacers
Stats: 18.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 2.0 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
"Miller Time" has come to mean clutch threes and buzzer beaters, especially if you're a Knicks fan. However, for many defenders in the league, it meant push-offs, flailing elbows, and kick outs on many a jump shot. Clearly, years of getting owned by Cheryl forced Reggie to win at all costs.
17. Isiah Thomas
Years Played: 1981-1994
Team(s): Pistons
Stats: 19.2 PPG, 9.3 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 3.0 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Zeke was one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, he was also one of the dirtiest. Captain of the dirtiest of the dirty a.k.a. the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons. He was like a gnat at a summer barbecue. Thomas constantly slapped the hands and wrists of ball-handlers, and often instigated fights so his goons could clean up his mess.
16. Danny Ainge
Years Played: 1981-1995
Team(s): Celtics, Kings, Blazers, Suns
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.4 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Danny Ainge was a straight up hard-nosed defender back in the '80s and early '90s. He talked trash and would look to get into altercations with other players, including Michael Jordan. In the 1994 playoffs, he threw a ball at Mario Elie and during the '80s as a member of the Celtics he was bit by Tree Rollins because Ainge was throwing elbows.
15. Anthony Mason
Years Played: 1989-2003
Teams Played For: Nets, Nuggets, Knicks, Hornets, Heat, Bucks
Stats: 10.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 2.7 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Anthony Mason played the power forward position despite his lack of size (listed at 6'7"), but what he lacked in size, he made up for with extra bumps here and there. Along with Charles Oakley, Mase played enforcer on those defensive Knicks teams of the '90s.
Hey, you either play the game, or let the game play you. Ain't no way Anthony Mason was going to get played. Well, except for that one time Uncle Sam got 'em. That happens to the best of us though. #whatuplauryn #holdyourhead
14. Reggie Evans
Years Played: 2002-Present
Teams Played For: Sonics, Nuggets, 76ers, Raptors, Clippers, Nets
Stats: 4.1 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.4 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
NBA players voted the current Nets power forward the league's dirtiest player back in 2010. Evans' "testy" misconduct during the 2006 postseason earned him a $10,000 fine and an ejection, but no suspension. Evans plays dirty because all he can do is rebound. His defensive repertoire consists of grabbing, holding, and slapping.
13. Kobe Bryant
Years Played: 1996-Present
Team(s): Lakers
Stats: 25.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 2.6 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
The NBA has two types of dirty players: openly aggressive ones, and those who take a cheap shot when they think the ref's not watching. As you can see in the linked clip above, Kobe Bean Bryant is clearly a member of the latter group. Word to Kendrick Perkins. It's alright Celtics fans, 17 > 16.
12. Kevin Garnett
Years Played: 1995-Present
Team(s): Timberwolves, Celtics
Stats: 19.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.5 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Kevin Garnett is one of the most aggressive players to ever enter the L. He's relentless in his work ethic as well as his dirtiness. He's been known to give players a shot or two when they go up for jumpers, set more illegal screens than we can count, and told a certain player that his wife reminded him of his favorite breakfast cereal. How sweet it is.
11. John Stockton
Years Played: 1984-2003
Team(s): Jazz
Stats: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.7 RPG, 2.2 SPG, 2.6 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Karl Malone wasn't the only member of the Jazz dishing out the dirt. His partner in crime, John Stockton, took his share of cheap shots as well. Stockton was a flopper and a fouler, and a true master of both. Who do you think Rondo and CP3 learned from? Those cats may be more athletic than Stockton, but there's a reason homie is the all-time steals leader with 3,265.
10. Raja Bell
Years Played: 2001-Present
Team(s): 76ers, Mavericks, Jazz, Suns, Bobcats, Warriors
Stats: 9.9 PPG, 1.7 APG, 2.8 RPG, 2.6 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Bell has always been known as a scrappy defender, but his battle with Kobe Bryant during the 2006 Playoffs gained him both notoriety, and support, from Kobe-haters worldwide. With one clothesline, Bell brought the WWE to the NBA, and justice for all who have been wronged by the Mamba. Protect ya neck!
9. Metta World Peace
Years Played: 1999-Present
Team(s): Bulls, Pacers, Kings, Rockets, Lakers
Stats: 14.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.7 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
From pulling down Paul Pierce's shorts, to the gullyness of throwing 'bows with fans at the Malice in the Palace, Artest has been up and down the dirty-player spectrum. Sometimes we think he doesn't yet know his own strength. Before causing havoc in Detroit, Metta was arguably the best defender in the league, but it also put a halt to his career and he never was able to regain the same form.
8. Charles Barkley
Years Played: 1985-2000
Team(s): Sixers, Suns, Rockets
Stats: 22.1 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 3.1 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Chuck was one of the best players in his day and he was also one of the dirtiest. He loved himself a fist fight. Barkley also didn't hesitate to give a fan the business if they said the wrong thing to him. If you hit Charles, best believe he was swinging back, hell, half the time he was the one that started the fight. Watch the linked clip above for proof.
7. Karl Malone
Years Played: 1985-2004
Team(s): Jazz, Lakers
Stats: 25.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 3.1 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Watch here as the Mailman delivered a blow to Zeke's eye that required 40 stitches. A number of league vets will tell you Malone had one of the most devastating elbows in sports history, and the proof is overwhelming to say the least. Every time he went up or came down with the ball, his elbows were cocked and ready.
6. Charles Oakley
Years Played: 1985-2004
Team(s): Bulls, Knicks, Raptors, Wizards, Rockets
Stats: 9.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 3.4 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Charles Oakley was a brute during his time in the league. Constantly providing the physical presence for any team he was a member of, Oakley would often remark about how soft the league was getting towards the end of his days. In his prime, Oakley would grab jerseys, foul hard, and throw punches. What would he do now if he were out on the court?
5. Xavier McDaniel
Years Played: 1985-1998
Team(s): Sonics, Suns, Knicks, Celtics, Nets
Stats: 15.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 2.9 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel had several run-ins with players during his time in the NBA, including a brawl with Charles Oakley that spilled over into the crowd. The way the league is now they never would've made it to the baseline. McDaniel also acknowledged an altercation with Dennis Rodman where things got so heated that he wasn't allowed to leave the locker room for fear of what might happen.
4. Rick Mahorn
Years Played: 1980-1999
Team(s): Bullets, Pistons, 76ers, Nets
Stats: 6.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 APG, 3.1 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
Rick Mahorn was a member of the Pistons "Bad Boys" squad and helped them win a championship in 1989 by using his six fouls. He did everything and anything to create contact in the paint, simply because he struggled to out-jump everyone else. Just look at this picture, it tells you all you need to know about Mahorn and the era he played in.
3. Bruce Bowen
Years Played: 1997-2009
Team(s): Heat, Celtics, 76ers, Spurs
Stats: 6.1 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2.2 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
How did an undrafted guard carve out a successful 14-year career for himself? Hard work and determination, right? Well, maybe some of that, but it's undeniable that Bruce Bowen built his career on low blows and an entire arsenal of dirty plays. Widely regarded as one of the dirtiest players in league history, he now graces the set of ESPN with bow ties. His defense was instrumental in winning three championships with the Spurs.
2. Dennis Rodman
Years Played: 1986-2000
Team(s): Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavs
Stats: 7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 3.1 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
The Worm made a habit of getting under opponents' and officials' skin during his career. From kicking cameramen, to head-butting officials, and everything else in between, Rodman collected flagrant fouls like they were going out of style. The cameraman kick led to a $200,000 lawsuit, plus an 11-game suspension. One of the top rebounders to grace the hardwood, Rodman went hard in the paint, no matter the consequences.
1. Bill Laimbeer
Years Played: 1980-1993
Team(s): Cavs, Pistons
Stats: 12.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 3.4 PFPG
Dirty Highlights
As the only white dude to start on the Pistons' "Bad Boys" squad of the '80s, Laimbeer used a combination of aggressive elbows, dirty play, and Oscar-worthy flops to become one of the league's most hated players. In 1991, his tactics even led Nintendo to develop Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball, a science-fiction basketball game staged in the year 2030. All you need to know about the game is that there are no refs, there are no fouls, and the use of weapons is perfectly legal. A public relations dream come true.